French study links vaginal birth to long-term PTSD in 5% of mothers

A French study involving over 2,000 mothers has provided new insights into mental health following vaginal births. Research led by Dr. Alizée Froeliger through the TRAAP study group, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, indicates that while the vast majority of women do not suffer long-term psychological consequences, approximately 5% develop persistent or delayed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

The study, which tracked 2,344 women across fifteen university hospital centers, found that 83.4% of mothers showed no significant symptoms during the first two months postpartum. While 11% experienced significant stress immediately after birth that resolved naturally, a concerning minority faced chronic issues. Specifically, 3.5% suffered from persistent symptoms from the second day through the second month, and 2.1% experienced traumatic manifestations that appeared late, even after initially appearing well.